Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – WWF Monitoring Report 2015

8/16/2019 Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – WWF Monitoring Report 2015

1/149

THIRD PARTY MONITORING OF BILLION TREE

TSUNAMI AFFORESTATION PROJECT IN KHYBE

PAKHTUNKHW

Monitoring conducted by:WWF-Pakistan

January 2016


2/149

i | P a g e

THIRD PARTY MONITORING REPORT

THIRD PARTY MONITORING OF THE

BILLION TREES TSUNAMI AFFORESTATION

IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAMonitoring conducted by:

World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan)

January 2016

Report prepared by:

1. Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Senior Manager Conservation, WWF-Pakistan, Team Leader (Lead

author)

2. Dr. Bashir Hussain Shah, Watershed Management and Slope Stabilization Specialist

(Contributing author)

3. Iqbal Muhammad, Forest engineer and livelihoods expert Contributing author)

4. Syed Kamran Hussain, Research Coordinator WWF-Pakistan Peshawar, (Contributing author)

5. Muhammad Waseem, Project Coordinator WWF-Pakistan Galiat, (Contributing author)

6. Shafique Ullah Khan, Senior Project Officer WWF-Pakistan Chitral, (Contributing author)

7. Haleema Saad, Forest Field Monitor, WWF-Pakistan KPK Region (Contributing author)

8. Gul Rukh, Field Monitor, WWF-Pakistan KPK Region (Contributing author)

9. Malik Mudassar Ahmed, Field Monitor, WWF-Pakistan KPK Region (Contributing author)


3/149

ii | P a g e


TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS......................................... iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................. v

1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ................................ 1 1.1 Introduction to this document ...................................................................................................... 1

1.2 The Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project .......................................................................... 1

2 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND SCOPE of MONITORING ................. 2 3 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF WWF-PAKISTAN ....................... 3 4 METHODOLOGY ................................................ 3

4.1 Field monitoring methods ............................................................................................................. 3

4.2 Monitoring team and coordination .............................................................................................. 6

5 OUTCOME OF THE DOCUMENTs reviewed .......................... 7 5.1 The BTTAP Project design; ............................................................................................................ 7

5.2 Documentation of the activities and interventions ...................................................................... 8

6 FINDINGS OF THE FIELD MONITORING ........................... 9 6.1 Progress on the BTTAP interventions (quantitative and qualitative progress) ............................ 9

6.1.1 Establishment of central model nurseries ............................................................................ 9

6.1.2 Establishment of private forest nurseries through youth and women .............................. 12

6.1.3 Planting of multi-purpose fast growing tree species on communal and private lands ...... 16

6.1.4 Planting along roads, canals and railway tracts including motorway ................................. 19

6.1.5 Establishment of enclosures in designated forests ............................................................ 21

6.1.6 Rehabilitation of bad sites through soil and water conservation measures, bioengineering

structures and planting of drought resistant species ......................................................................... 23

6.1.7 Reclamation of saline and water logged areas ................................................................... 28

6.1.8 Planting of seedlings under farm forestry and agro-forestry ............................................. 30

6.1.9 Promotion of forest based cottage industries (Planting of Mazri and Kana) ..................... 31

6.1.10 Rehabilitation of degraded Watersheds ............................................................................. 32

6.1.11 Improvement of rangelands and pastures .......................................................................... 34

6.1.12 Promotion of NTFPs ............................................................................................................ 34

6.1.13 Capacity building of farmers communities and entrepreneurs .......................................... 35

6.1.14 Research and development ................................................................................................ 35

7 EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND LIVELIHOOD IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT 35

8 UNMITIGATED ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OBSERVED ................. 36

9 ASSESSMENT OF CONTRACTS/PROJECT VIS-À-VIS GOVERNMENT OFKHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA SAFEGUARD POLICIES AND NATIONALENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION/REGULATIONS ..................... 36


4/149

iii | P a g e


10 CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS ................................... 36

11 SUCCESS STORIES ........................................... 38 12 OTHER DELIVERABLES (CAPACITY BUILDING IN GIS BASED

MONITORING) ............................................... 43

13 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................ 44 14 APPENDICES ................................................ 47

Appendix-A: Monitoring TORs ................................................................................................................ 47

Appendix-B: Monitoring indicators ......................................................................................................... 49

Appendix-C: Survey sheets ..................................................................................................................... 50

Appendix-D: Questionnaires and interviews checklist ........................................................................... 69

Appendix-E (i): Details of departmental nurseries-Tube ........................................................................ 70

Appendix-E (ii): Details of departmental nurseries-Bare Rooted ........................................................... 76

Appendix-F (i): Details of private nurseries-Tube ................................................................................... 81

Appendix-F (ii): Details of private nurseries - Bare Rooted .................................................................... 96

Appendix-G: Details of plantations of multipurpose tree species ........................................................ 104

Appendix-H: Details of roadside and canal side plantations ............................................................... 108

Appendix-I: Details of enclosures ......................................................................................................... 110

Appendix-J: Details of reclamation of saline and water logged areas .................................................. 114

Appendix-K: Details about farm forestry .............................................................................................. 115

Appendix-L: Details of promotion of forest based cottage industries related to Mazri and Kana

through planting ................................................................................................................................... 116

Appendix-M: Details of badlands rehabiliatation and watershed management measures ................. 117

Appendix-N (1): Coordinates of block plantations ................................................................................ 118

Appendix-N (2): Coordinates of linear plantations ............................................................................... 119

Appendix-N (3): Coordinates of enclosures .......................................................................................... 120

Appendix N (4) coordinates of departmental tube nurseries ............................................................... 123

Appendix N (5) coordinates of departmental bare rooted nurseries ................................................... 125

Appendix N (6) coordinates of private tube nurseries ......................................................................... 126

Appendix N (7) coordinates of private bare rooted nurseries .............................................................. 136

Photo collage of all activities ............................................................................................................... 138

Photo collage of Southern Region ........................................................................................................ 139

Photo collage of Malakand Region ....................................................................................................... 140

Photo collage of Hazara Region ............................................................................................................ 141


5/149

iv | P a g e


LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSAT Agror Tanawal

BTTAP Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project

CCF Chief Conservator Forest

CDE&GAD Community Development, Extension & Gender & Development

CF Conservator Forest

cft Cubic feet

D I Khan Dera Ismial Khan

DFO Divisional Forest Officer

FD Forest Department

FGDs Focused Group Discussions

FP&M Forest Planning & Monitoring

ft Feet

GIS Geographic Information Systems

GPS Global Positioning System

ha Hectare

I&HRD Institutional and Human Resource Development

JFMCs Joint Forest Management CommitteesKIIs Key Informants Interviews

KPK Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas

m Meter

MAPs Medicinal Plants

NGO Non-Government Organization

NTFPs Non Timber Forest Products

PSC Project steering Committee

rft Running feet

RND Research and Development

RS Remote Sensing

SDFO Sub-divisional Forest Officer

sft Square feet

TORs Terms of reference

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

VDCs Village Development Committee

WWF-Pakistan World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan


6/149

v | P a g e


EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe “Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” shortly called as the BTTAP is

aimed at planning, designing, commencing and implementing “Green Growth Initiative” in the Forestry

Sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The project is being implemented by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Forest Department in the entire province through its three forest regions i.e. Southern and Centralregion, Malakand region and Hazara region. Hazara region also includes the Watershed Management

Circle. The project has been split into two phases i.e. Phase 1 with a total cost of Rs 1912.0 million has

been implemented during 2014-15, while Phase 2 with a total cost of Rs12422.72 million will be

implemented during 2015-2017.

To ensure transparency, quality, and effective and judicious utilization of development funds, WWF-

Pakistan has been assigned to carry out independent monitoring of the BTTAP project interventions.

This assignment consists of two parts i.e. 1) training of the GIS staff of the planning and monitoring unit

and 2) field monitoring of the interventions carried out in 28 territorial and watershed divisions of the

KPK FD covering 50% of the implemented activities except farm forestry, which is 10%.

In order to ensure unbiased and effective monitoring a combination of various approaches and tools

was employed during this assignment. These were aimed at collection of required quantitative and

qualitative data as well as triangulation of collected information. These tools included desk review of

secondary information, Key Informants Interviews (KIIs), Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) with project

staff and beneficiaries, and detailed field surveys. For field surveys a combination of systematic random

sampling technique was applied. A monitoring team of 18 professionals consisting of foresters,

environmentalists, GIS experts and social scientists was launched to carry out this monitoring.

By August 2015 a total 238.71 hectare of central model nurseries had been established. Out of the 238

ha nurseries 132 were monitored. In tube nurseries a total of 49.95 million seedlings were verified. Withan overall survival rate of 83% in total 41.41 million seedlings were successful while 26 million were

ready for planting. In bare rooted nurseries the total verified planting stock was 10.94 million. With over

72% survival rate the net survived planting stock was 9.23 million out of which 1.854 million were ready

for planting. In departmental tube nurseries more than 34 species had been raised in tube nurseries

with eucalyptus 33.31%, Chir pine 30.78% and Phulai 8.43%. Similarly in bare rooted nurseries more

than 14 different species have been raised. Major species are Robinia 33.85%, Poplar 29.46%, Ailanthus

11.29%, Bakine 8.21% and Walnut 4.59%.

A total of 2756 units of private nurseries had been established. In private tube nurseries the average

number of units per farmer was found to be 3.5 ranging from one to 20 units. One unit consisted of

25,000 plants. Similarly in private bare rooted nurseries the average size was found 1.33 units per

farmer ranging from 1 unit to 12 units per farmer. A total of 1339 units were monitored with 87% raised

by men and 13% by women. In private potted nurseries the overall survival rate was 73% having 18.15

million survived seedlings out of which 10.41 million (57%) were ready for planting. In private bare

rooted nurseries the survival rate was about 78%. Out of the total allocated stock of 7.89 million the net

survived stock was 6.58 million out of which 5.47 million (83%) were ready to plant. In private tube


7/149

vi | P a g e


nurseries 28 species have been planted in the private tube nurseries with Eucalyptus 53.74%, Kikar

11.28%, Chir pine 10.07% and Phulai 9.65% as the major species.While in bare rooted nurseries more

than 14 different species have been planted with Poplar 46.06%, Robinia 32.42%, Ailanthus 9.43%,

Bakine 3.71%, Willow 3.32% and Shisham 1.24% as the major species.

A total of 6758 ha of block plantations and 494 ha of roadsides and canal-side plantations had been

carried out till August 2015 out of which 3774 ha of block plantations and 257 ha of linear plantations

were monitored. These plantations were 6-10 months old. The average survival rate of block plantations

was 86% and while in roads and canal side plantations was 79%. More than 27 different species have

been planted in these plantations. Chir pine, Eucalyptus, Robinia, Deodar, Phulai, Ailanthus, Kikar ( A.

nilotica), Shisham and A. farnesiana are the main species. The block and roadside and canal-side

plantations were well according to the set standards and requirements. The areas of the plantations

were a bit more than what were claimed. Plant to plant spacing was a bit wider while pit sizes were

according to the specification.

The project successfully executed establishment of enclosures for improving natural forests. A total of

411 enclosures had been established out of which 210 enclosures were monitored. Average number of

seedlings per hectare of enclosures was found as 2316. Over 13 different indigenous species had been

regenerated, which also included some endangered species such asTaxus walichiana (Burmi).

Under the farm forestry 6.98 million seedlings had been distributed by the respective forest and

watershed divisions benefiting over 30,000 beneficairies.The target had been over achieved by 49%. Out

of this a total 0.804 million seedlings were monitored and verified. The overall survival rate was 65%

which is quite acceptable keeping in view different priorities and practices of the farmers.

Under the rehabilitation of saline and waterlogged areas a total of 135 ha had been treated against the

target of 150 ha out of which 81 ha area was monitored. Suitable species had been planted with anoverall survival rate of 72%. Average spacing of plants and pits size were well within the recommended

limit. There were no management plans available to deal with such sites. Planting of suitable species in

trenches and on mounds had been carried out.

For rehabilitation of landslides and Gallies erosions 178 ha had been treated with engineering and bio-

engineering measures mostly in Upper Dir, Swat, Kohat, Gallies, Kaghan and Siran Forest and Kunhar

Watershed Divisions. Out of the 178 ha 135.40 ha (75.90%) were monitored. The overall survival rate of

brushwood and seedlings was 74%. Eleven types of engineering, bio-engineering and biological

measures had been applied for badlands treatment. About 57% of the measures were suitable and

relevant according to the selected sites while 86% of the measures had good layout and designs. In

general the bioengineering works had been carried out during off season resulting in failure of plants

material in these structures. Lack of knowledge and capacity regarding soil bio-engineering works were

also noticed mainly in Malakand and Southern Regions.

Regarding watershed management three sites had been planned during Phase-1. Some selected

activities mostly engineering and bioengineering structures had been carried out in Manur valley in

Kaghan and Balakot village in Kalam forest division. Suitable engineering and bioengineering techniques


8/149

vii | P a g e


had been applied and the success rate of vegetation ranged from was 81% in Manur valley and 50% at

Balakot village in Kalam forest division. The low success rate was mainly due to establishing these

structures during off season.

A total of 50 ha of Mazri and Kana plantations were planned, which had been achieved. A total of 35 ha

Kana plantation and 15 ha Mazri plantation had been carried out in Kohat Forest Division and Bannu

Forest Division. Survival rates were excellent both in Kana and Mazri plantations. Plant to plant spacing

was according to the standard 10ft by 10ft.

Progress on rangelands improvement and promotion of NTFPs was low. For rangelands improvement

only sowing of Alpha Alpha on 25ha had been carried out in Golain valley in Chitral having 90%

germination. Similarly under the NTFP promotion only a three days training had been conducted on

“MAPs, Honey & Mushroom Production in Gurnai Valley, Bahrain Swat.

Regarding capacity building the HRD unit of the KPK FD had conducted a series of trainings and trained

1641 farmers against the total target of 1900 farmers. These trainings had been conducted after most of

the nursery operations were over.

In the light of the findings it is concluded that an excellent effort has been made in achieving theambitious targets of the BTTAP project. Success stories on 10 best performing individuals have been

provided in the report. To encourage them and motivate others it is recommended that these

individuals are given special awards. Moreover there is high need for trainings and capacity building of

the field staff especially in integrated watershed management, range management, bioengineering

techniques and social mobilization. In general it was noticed that the social mobilization process had

been given least importance, which needs to be put on the forefront.

Badlands rehabilitation works are very technical and expensive requiring sound skills and proper

planning. It is recommended that proper surveys should be conducted and plans comprising of type of

treatment, their layout and designs and cost estimation be prepared well before initiation of any works.

An effective coordination and feedback mechanism needs to be established to have feedback from the

field staff regarding various interventions of the project. Moreover there is need for developing

sustainability and management plans to ensure scientific management of the planted areas.


9/149

1 | P a g e


1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND1.1 Introduction to this document

This document presents a detailed picture of the third party monitoring of the BTTAP project conducted

from 7th September 2015 to 15th January 2016. The data is presented both in graphic and tabulated

forms. For ease of reading and understanding the overall and region wise analysis is given in the main

text while detailed information at forest and watershed divisions level are given in the appendices.

The second component of this assignment is the training in GIS based monitoring. A summary of the

training is given in the main text while the detailed report is given as a separately attached document

and shared with the KPK FD along with this report.

Coordinates and location of activities and interventions monitored are given as Appendix-N.

The monitoring team has also collected information on the best performing individuals during the BTTAP

implementation. Summaries of their success stories are also given in the main text. Similarly some

selected photographs of the activities are given in the main text while the rest are given in the

appendices.

1.2 The Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project

The “Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” shortly called as the BTTAP is

aimed at planning, designing, commencing and implementing “Green Growth Initiative” in the Forestry

Sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The project is being implemented by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Forest Department in the entire province through its three forest regions i.e. Southern and Central

region, Malakand region and Hazara region. Hazara region also includes the Watershed Management

Circle. The project has been split into two phases i.e. Phase 1 with a total cost of Rs 1912.0 million hasbeen implemented during 2014-15, while Phase 2 with a total cost of Rs12422.72 million will be

implemented during 2015-2017. Major objectives of the project are;

1. Support Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department, as a catalyst, to plan, design, and launch

sustainable development in the Forestry Sector through active involvement of local

communities;

2. Rehabilitate and improve existing forest ecosystems of the province through arresting

environmental degradation;

3. Enhance forest resource base for livelihood improvement and job creation for rural youth at

their door step.

The physical targets set for the Phase-1 of the project are;

Initiation of closures in designated forests through 650 VDCs on 375000 ha area to improve

natural regeneration


10/149

2 | P a g e


Planting of multi-purpose fast growing tree species on 6000 ha communal and private lands

between the natural forests and farmlands through departmental and outsourced planting

Rehabilitation of three degraded Watersheds

Reclamation/rehabilitation of 300 ha bad sites through soil and water conservation measures,

bioengineering structures and planting of drought resistant species

Reclamation of 150 ha saline and water logged areas

Planting over 300 ha along roads, canals and railway tract including motorway

Improvement of three of sites of rangelands and pastures

Planting of 3.4 million seedlings under farm forestry and agro-forestry

Promotion of forest based cottage industries related to Mazri and Kana through planting over 50

ha

Promotion of NTFPs in one valley

Collection and storage of 94677 kg seed

Establishment of 349 ha Central Model Nurseries (departmental nurseries)

Establishment of 2653 private forest nurseries through youth and women

Capacity building of 1900 farmers communities and entrepreneurs

The project is executed by the KPK Forest Department through BTTAP project directorate and

implemented in 28 forest and watershed divisions of the three forest regions i.e. Central Southern,

Malakand and Hazara. The forest and watershed divisions are supported by the specialized units of

Forest Planning & Monitoring (FP&M), Community Development, Extension & Gender & Development

(CDE&GAD), Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP), Research and Development (R&D) and Institutional

and Human Resource Development (I&HRD) for internal monitoring, social mobilization, NTFPs, research

and capacity building.

2 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND SCOPE OF MONITORING

To ensure transparency, quality, and effective and judicious utilization of development funds, WWF-

Pakistan has been tasked to carry out independent monitoring of the BTTAP project interventions. This

assignment consists of two parts i.e. 1) training of the GIS staff of the planning and monitoring unit and

2) field monitoring of the interventions carried out in 28 territorial and watershed divisions of the KPK

FD covering 50% of the implemented activities except farm forestry, which is 10%. This assignment is

confined only to the targets achieved during phase-1 of the BTTAP project and covers the targets

completed by August 2015.

Based on the monitoring results WWF-Pakistan was to provide regular feedback on the progress being

made towards achieving the setout objectives including details of effectiveness of the developmental

activities in line with key indicators provided by the BTTAP directorate (Appendices-A and B). Initially the


11/149

3 | P a g e


assignment period was three months i.e. from 7 September to 7 December 2015, which later on was

extended to 15th of January 2016. WWF-Pakistan was required to provide the monitoring report at the

end of the assignment covering the following indicative contents:

Introduction

Study methodology

Outcome of document review

Outcome of the field investigations

Unmitigated environmental issues observed during field investigations

Assessment of contracts/project vis-à-vis Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa safeguard

policies and national environmental legislation/regulations

Capacity building needs

Conclusions and recommendations

Appendices (photographs, and any other relevant supporting details).

3 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF WWF-PAKISTANWWF-Pakistan is an autonomous body registered under the Pakistan Societies Act of 1860 and governed

by a Board of Governors. Established in 1970, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan)

is a not-for-profit organization, committed to: the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity; the

sustainable use of natural resources; and the promotion of actions to reduce pollution and wasteful

exploitation and consumption of resources. WWF-Pakistan is part of the global WWF Network, one of

the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with active on-the-

ground conservation projects in more than a 100 countries.

WWF-Pakistan is currently the largest conservation NGO in Pakistan. With its Head Office in Lahore, 6

regional offices and 25 project site offices, WWF-Pakistan has a presence in all the provincial capitals, as

well as outreach in targeted field sites and protected areas through project offices.

Due to its involvement in different aspects of biodiversity, WWF-Pakistan has rich experience in working

in different ecosystems and geographical areas. WWF-Pakistan has successfully implemented projects

and conducted studies in protecting and expanding forest cover.

4 METHODOLOGY4.1 Field monitoring methods

In order to ensure unbiased and effective monitoring a combination of various approaches and tools

was employed during this assignment. These were aimed at collection of required quantitative and

qualitative data as well as triangulation of collected information. These tools included desk review ofsecondary information, Key Informants Interviews (KIIs), Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) with project

staff and beneficiaries, and detailed field surveys. Project documents, management plans, progress

reports, compartment history files, nursery journals, plantation records and internal monitoring reports

along with maps and other available data were reviewed to have a clear picture about the

implementation approaches, designs, location, extent and status of works carried out during Phase-I.

These works included departmental nurseries, private nurseries, departmental plantations, outsourced


12/149

4 | P a g e


plantations, rehabilitation of degraded watersheds, improvement of pastures and rangelands,

reclamation of bad sites, reclamation of saline and waterlogged areas and Mazri and Kana plantations

for livelihoods improvement and activities implemented by the specialized directorates.

Upon review of the secondary information a checklist of questions was developed for KIIs and FGDs with

the concerned Forest department (FD) officials, local communities and other relevant stakeholders to

collect the qualitative information for creating further clarity. Based on the information collected during

the secondary data review, KIIs and FGDs as well as the available monitoring indicators elaborate survey

sheets and questionnaires were designed to capture all quantitative information about the project

works. The questionnaires and survey sheets were presented to the BTTAP officials and their input

incorporated. The monitoring tools and methods were then pilot tested by the WWF-Pakistan’s

monitoring team and adjusted according to their feedback. Samples of data collection sheets,

questionnaires and checklists are given as (Appendices-C and D).

Regarding sampling schemes and field data collection tools a combination of stratified random and

systematic sampling techniques was used. The project sites were stratified according to the

administrative, geographic and ecological characteristics ensuring that all forest regions, forest divisions

and ecological zones/ forest types are covered with proportionate sample size based on the actual work

carried out.

Regarding randomization in sites selection the interventions were stratified according to the forest/

watershed divisions and ecological zones. Lists of sites of each intervention were prepared and

numbered. The randome numbers were generated and selected from the lists keeping in view the total

target to be monitored under each intervention.

In total 50% of the total implemented targets were covered except the farm forestry where 10% work

was covered. Detiles of targets monitored are given in table-1 below. Sites of each intervention wererandomly selected using lists of activities and sites provided by the concerned Divisional Forest Officers.

The information collected in each site comprised of two sets of data that is; 1) general aspects and

management related information and 2) specific monitoring data collected through sampling.

For block plantations, woodlots, Mazri Plantations, Kana plantations, reclamation of saline and

waterlogged areas and closures systematic plots were laid out at 100 meter spacing along randomly

selected transects with five percent sampling intensity. The number of transects and plots were worked

out on the basis of the total area of each site keeping in view its geometry and terrain. Parameters like

altitude, aspect, soil, slope, species, total number of plants planted, survival rate, spacing, pit size and

signs of damage were recorded in each fixed circular plot measuring 1000m2. Prior to plots/ transect

surveys location of each site was recorded and area measured using GPS.

For nurseries two types of information were collected i.e. data according to the nurseries records and

data based on actual observations, measurements and counting through sampling. Location of each

nursery was recorded and area measured using GPS. This was then followed by species wise counting of

planting stock, their survival rate and plant-able and un-plant-able sizes. Moreover nursery

management operations such as cleaning, weeding, watering, shifting and root pruning were also noted.


13/149

5 | P a g e


For interventions regarding rehabilitation of degraded watersheds, improvement of rangelands and

pastures and reclamation of bad sites a combination of methods was used. General information about

existence of management plans, designs of planned structures, communities involvement etc. were

collected. Regarding specific interventions like engineering and bio-engineering structures 10% sampling

intensity was adopted and data about parameters such as location, design, size, material used, species

planted, spacing and survival rate were collected. Moreover general observations regardingimplementation modalities, site suitability, species suitability and designs were also recorded.

Future ecological, social and livelihood impacts of watershed rehabilitation, rangelands improvement,

plantations and nurseries were assessed on the bases of the above-mentioned field monitoring data for

each intervention.

Though it’s not included in the TORs WWF-Pakistan’s monitoring team identified and developed success

stories on best performing beneficiaries (men, women and CBOs) and project staff that showed

commitment and implemented innovative ideas. The main objective is to encourage these best

practitioners and motivate others.

Table 1: Targets achieved and monitored

Activity Target

PC 1

Target Achieved

by FD (Phase-1)

Target Monitored (Aug-

Dec 2015)

%

Central Model Nurseries (ha) 349 239 132 55

Private forest nurseries (units) 2653 2756 1339 49

Planting of on communal and private lands (ha) 6000 6758 3774 56

Planting along roads, canals (ha) 300 494 257 52

Establishment of closures in designated forests (No.) 650 411 210 51

Reclamation/rehabilitation of bad sites (ha) 300 149 129 85

Reclamation of saline and waterlogged areas (ha) 150 130 81 62

Farm forestry (million seedlings) 3.400 6.977 0.804 12

Promotion of cottage based industry through Kana and

Mazri plantation (ha)50 50 36.2 72

Rehabilitation of degraded watersheds (watershed

sites)3 2 2 100

Improvement of rangelands and pastures (sites) 3 1 1 100

Promotion of NTFPs (Valley/ Site ) 1 0 0 0

Capacity building of farmers (no. of farmers) 1900 1641 832 51


14/149

6 | P a g e


Coordinator Southern region Coordinator Malakand region Coordinator Hazara region

Team leader

Field surveyors Southern region Field surveyors Malakand region Field surveyors Hazara region

Consultant w

shed mgt.

Consultant

Livelihood and

S. Stories

Figure 1, 2: The WWF-Pakistan team for the BTTAP third party monitoring

4.2 Monitoring team and coordination

The monitoring team consisted of experts, field monitors and surveyors. The monitoring team was split

into four units i.e. the coordination and implementation unit, the experts unit, monitors and surveyors

and GIS/ RS experts (Figure-1 and Table-2).


15/149

7 | P a g e


Table 2: Monitoring team

5 OUTCOME OF THE DOCUMENTS REVIEWED5.1 The BTTAP Project design;

In general the BTTAP Project PC-1 is a well written document with clear objectives, interventions and

targets. The activities are well connected with the project objectives and are closely linked with

provincial and national environmental and developmental objectives. However for the field managers

and implementers the project document has some gaps and weaknesses as well. These gaps and

weaknesses were noted as a result of thorough review of the PC-1 as well as the concerns of the field

managers comprising of CCF’s CF’s, DFO’s and SDFOs noted during the field monitoring and interviews.

These are explained below;

Name and title Task Thematic Area/ Region

Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Senior Manager

Conservation (Forests) WWF-Pakistan

Team leader KP Province (BTTAP Area)

Dr. Bashir Hussain Shah, Watershed Specialist Consultant Watershed Management and Badlandsreclamation in BTTAP

Iqbal Muhammad Forest Livelihoods Specialist Consultant Livelihood activities and success stories

in BTTAP

Syed Kamran Hussain, Research Coordinator

(Forests) WWF-Pakistan

Coordinator Central and south region

Muhammad Waseem, Project Coordinator

Watershed Project WWF-Pakistan

Coordinator Hazara region

Shafiqullah Khan Coordinator Malakand region

Haleema Saad Field monitor Central and South Region

Gul Rukh Durrani Field monitor Hazara region

Malik Mudassar Ahmad Field monitor Hazara region

Faiz-Ullah Khan Field monitor Malakand region

Murtaza Ali Khan Field monitor Hazara region

Kamran Khan Field surveyor Malakand region

Muhammad Hashim Khan Field surveyor Malakand region

Ejaz Ahmad Khan Field surveyor Malakand region

Syed Aslam Shah Field surveyor Central and South region

Essa Sajjad Field surveyor Central and South region


16/149

8 | P a g e


Criteria provided for identification and selection of beneficiaries is either missing or too brief to

properly guide the community organizations and field managers;

Recommended standard designs and specifications are sketchy and miss some of the required

specifications. For example there is no standard pit size provided in the PC-1. The field managers are

relying either on their past experience and practices or getting information from previous PC-1s.

Regarding establishment and management of closures a very brief criteria and process has beendescribed lacking details such as development of management plans and community’s share in

resource management and uses. Moreover the VDCs role was mainly confined to the closures with

no other roles in development and natural resource management. This has resulted in low interest

on the part of the VDC members.

The PC-1 has no provision and guidelines for future sustainability of the activities and their

management on scientific bases.

The specialized directorates have been given very limited role.

The PC-1 has limited resources and staff at the BTTAP directorate. There should have been regional

coordinators to closely liaison with the field managers.

5.2 Documentation of the activities and interventions

During the field monitoring availability and status of all documentation such as nursery journal,

plantation journal, management plans, MoUs and agreements of all the activities and interventions

were also monitored and reviewed. Following are the general findings regarding documentation;

Regarding departmental nurseries 96% of the total nurseries had nursery journals out which 84%

had been maintained properly.

Regarding private nurseries except a few cases there was no such formal documentation. It is

therefore recommended to develop a system of documentation of the private nurseries as well.

For departmental plantations formal plantation journals were maintained for 71 sites while 4 sites

had no proper documentation.

For Mazri and Kana plantations proper plantation journals had been maintained.

Regarding forest enclosures 98% of the sites had been notified with proper agreements signed by

the concerned DFOs and community representatives. However there were no formal management

plans available for any of these enclosures.

Regarding farm forestry out of the 28 forest and watershed divisions 15 had fully maintained record

containing name, address and contact of beneficiaries and number of plants provided while 11

divisions had partially maintained record.

Regarding rehabilitation of degraded watersheds the management plan existed for Manur sub-

watershed in Kaghan Forest Division adopting the UNDPs template while for the Balakot Village Sub-

watershed in Kalama Forest Division there was no management plan.


17/149

9 | P a g e


Photo 1: Departmental Tube Nursery Photo 2: Departmental Bare-rooted Nursery

For rehabilitation of badlands, saline and water logged areas there were no management plans as

well as plantation journals.

6 FINDINGS OF THE FIELD MONITORING

6.1 Progress on the BTTAP interventions (quantitative and qualitative progress)

6.1.1 Establishment of central model nurseries

Under this category a total target of 126 ha of potted and 223 ha of bare rooted nurseries was set

during the first phase of the project. Each forest division was assigned to establish at least one central

model nursery on five hectares for raising both tube and bare-rooted seedlings of suitable species for

establishing plantations. In addition to meeting requirements for planting stock these nurseries were

also to be used as demonstration and training sites for the private nursery growers.

According to the BTTAP/ FD records 238.71 hectare of central model nurseries had been established byAugust 2015. The WWF-Pakistan team monitored 74 tube and 76 bare rooted nurseries having areas of

43 and 88.9 hectares respectively. Of the 74 tube nurseries 21 were in Southern region, 20 in Malakand,

16 in Hazara territorial and 17 in Hazara watershed. Similarly out of the 76 bare rooted nurseries 12

were in Southern region, 30 in Malakand, 20 in Hazara territorial and 14 in Hazara watershed.

Parameters like layout and facilities, operation and maintenance practices, total stock and species wise

number of seedlings, survival rate, net available stock and number of fit and unfit seedlings were

monitored.

6.1.1.1 Nurseries layout, facilities and operation and management practices

With some minor exceptions the overall situation of nurseries layout, operations and management

practices is quite encouraging. The entire potted and 95% of the bare rooted nurseries established by

the Forest Department had well-planned Inspection Paths, making easy access to all the beds and

ensuring proper maintenance and other operations. Moreover 88% potted nurseries had sufficient

space for loading and unloading of materials.


18/149

10 | P a g e


Facilities such as proper fencing existed in 65% potted and 43% bare rooted nurseries while sheds to

provide necessary shelter to plant material and labor were found in 57% potted and 30% bare rooted

nurseries.

Other management practices such as weeding and cleaning were observed in 97% potted and 95% bare

rooted nurseries while shifting and root pruning were found in 74% potted nurseries. In 93% tube

nurseries proper hand watering had been applied. Similarly fertilizers had been applied in over 93%

while pesticides applied in over 89% of potted and bare rooted nurseries respectively.

From the above results it is also concluded that in 26% potted nurseries no shifting and root pruning had

been done while in 6.76% of the tube nurseries flood irrigation had been applied. These practices are

not advisable as they result in excessive weeds and roots anchoring in soil badly affecting the quality of

planting stock. This problem was mainly observed in Hazara territorial and watershed divisions (Table-3,

4 and Appendix-E).

Table 3: Layout, facilities and management and operations in departmental tube nurseries

Regions

Layout and facilities Operation and management

Insp.

PathFencing Sheds

Loading

space

G

House

H.

Watering

Flood

irrigationWeeding

Shifting/ R.

trimmingFertilizer Pesticide

Southern 100.00 71.43 66.67 85.71 61.90 85.71 0.00 100.00 90.48 100.00 100.00

Malakand 100.00 60.00 65.00 95.00 75.00 95.00 0.00 100.00 80.00 100.00 85.00

Hazara

territorial 100.00 62.50 50.00 75.00 31.25 93.75 6.25 93.75 37.50 81.25 75.00

Hazara

watershed 100.00 64.71 41.18 94.12 41.18 100.00 23.53 94.12 82.35 100.00 94.12

All regions 100.00 64.86 56.76 87.84 54.05 93.24 6.76 97.30 74.32 95.95 89.19

Table 4: Layout, facilities and management and operations in departmental bare rooted nurseries

RegionsLayout and facilities Operation and management

Insp Path Fencing Shed Irrigation Weeding Fertilizer Pesticide

Southern 75.00 41.67 16.67 100.00 75.00 66.67 50.00

Malakand 100.00 43.33 46.67 100.00 96.67 96.67 86.67

Hazara territorial 95.00 40.00 20.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 95.00

Hazara watershed 100.00 50.00 21.43 100.00 100.00 100.00 85.71

All regions 94.74 43.42 30.26 100.00 94.74 93.42 82.89


19/149

11 | P a g e


Figure 3: Survival rate in departmental tube nurseries

Figure 4: Survival rate in departmental bare rooted

nurseries

Figure 6: Region wise status of planting stock in

departmental bare rooted nurseries

Figure 5: Region wise status of planting stock in

departmental potted nurseries

6.1.1.2 Planting stock and survival rate

In departmental potted nurseries a total of 49.95

million seedlings were verified out of which 41.41

million were successful with 26 million ready for

planting (Figure-5). For tube plants the plantable size

was considered as nine inches and above. The overallsurvival rate of seedlings was excellent i.e. 82.87%.

The best survival rate was recorded in Southern and

Malakand regions well over 89% followed by Hazara

watershed with 82%. In Hazara territorial the survival

rate was below 70% figures-3 and 4.

In bare rooted nurseries the total verified planting

stock was 10.94 million. With over 72% survival rate

the net available planting stock was 9.23 million out

of which 85.37% were fit for planting and 14.63%

were unfit for planting. For the bare rooted plants

the platable size was considered as five feet and

above. Thus the overall fit planting stock was 1.854

million (Figure-6). The unfit planting stock is

expected to reach plant-able size within the coming

three months.

Over 34 species have been raised in tube nurseries

with eucalyptus 33.31%, Chir pine 30.78% and Phulai

8.43% (Figure-8). From biodiversity point of view the

eucalyptus percentage is quite high and needs to be

reduced drastically during the coming phase.

In bare rooted nurseries more than 14 different species have been raised. Major species are Robinia

33.85%, Poplar 29.46%, Ailanthus 11.29%, Bakine 8.21% and Walnut 4.59% (Figure-7). Forest Divisions

wise details of seedlings in nurseries are given in Appendix-E.


20/149

12 | P a g e


Figure 9: Ratio of male and female nursery growers (potted nurseries)

Figure 8: Species composition in departmental potted

nurseries

Figure 7: Species composition in departmental bare rooted

nurseries

6.1.2 Establishment of private forest nurseries through youth and women

A total of 2653 (1504 potted and 1149 bare-

rooted) nurseries with 66 million seedlings were

targeted to be raised through selected youth

and women during phase-1. Maximum seedlings

to be produced in one unit were fixed to be

25000. This activity was aimed at raising

planting stock as well as providing green jobs to

youth and women. The PC-1 has provided a

performance based payment mechanism to

buyback the plants grown by the beneficiaries.

According to the field monitoring a total of 2756 units of private nurseries had been established by

August 2015 out which 1339 (49%) units were monitored and verified physically. Of the 1339 monitored

private nursery 983 were tube while 356 were bare rooted (Table-5).

Parameters such as layout and facilities,

operation and maintenance practices, total

stock and species wise number of seedlings,

survival rate, net available stock and number

of fit and unfit seedlings were monitored.

The male/ female nursery growers’ ratio waswell according to the PC-1 targets. The

BTTAP PC-1 had a target of 10% of the total

private potted nurseries to be allocated to

women. As given in figure-9 about 87%

nursery growers were male and 13% were

female.

Table 5: Region wise monitored units of privatenurseries

RegionPrivate tube

Private Bare

rooted

Southern 438 45

Malakand 306 123

Hazara territorial 107 93

Hazara watershed 132 95

Total 983 356


21/149

13 | P a g e


Photo 3: Private Tube Nursery, Peshawar Photo 4: Private Bare Rooted Nursery, Charsadda

6.1.2.1 Nurseries layout, facilities and operation and management practices

Overall situation about layout, facilities and operation and management practices in private nurseries

was good. As a whole 97% nurseries had proper layout and inspection paths, over 18% had proper shedsfor equipment and nursery works and over 53% had fencing. Similarly in over 87% nurseries proper

weeds cleaning had been done, shifting of seedlings had been completed in over 64%, proper hand

watering applied in 97%, fertilizers applied in 86% and pesticides used in 56% nurseries. In 8% private

potted nurseries flood irrigation had also been applied which is not a good practice and as mentioned

earlier it affects the quality of planting stock. Moreover in about 36% nurseries shifting and root

trimming had not been done which again affected the quality of planting stock. It is recommended that

the concerned DFO and SDFO should ensure that proper shifting and root trimming is dome well before

transporting the seedlings to the plantation sites.

The problem of avoiding shifting and root trimming and hand watering was mainly observed in Hazaraterritorial (Table-6). This is due to the reason that in Hazara region nursery raising had mostly been done

by the Watershed divisions while the Hazara territorial used to be busy in forest protection and

regulation activities. Therefore proper training is needed for the territorial staff in nursery raising

techniques and also they should be strictly advised to provide technical knowhow to the farmers.

In private bare rooted nurseries 95% had proper layout and paths and 15% had proper fencing.

Moreover in 89% nurseries proper weeding had been done, in 80% fertilizers had been applied while in

47% necessary pesticides had also been applied (Table-7).Low percentage of fencing in bare rooted

nurseries is due to the fact that most of the farmers used to be present at their sites and closely guarded

their nurseries against livestock and other damages.


22/149

14 | P a g e


Photo 5: Female Nursery, Agror Tanawal Photo 6: Female Nursery, Malakand

Table 6: Layout, facilities and operation and management of private potted nurseries

Region

Layout and facilities Operation and management practices

Insp Path Sheds Fencing Cleaning

Shifting/ R.

Trimming

Hand

Watering

Flood

irrigation Fertilizer Pesticide

Southern 100.00 32.50 58.75 75.00 97.50 75.00 18.75 70.00 35.00

Malakand 95.28 20.75 60.38 90.57 59.43 90.57 4.72 87.74 47.17

Hazara

territorial 93.59 5.13 42.31 65.38 38.46 98.72 2.56 74.36 60.26

Hazara

watershed 98.48 9.09 30.30 92.42 62.12 96.97 3.03 86.36 69.70

Total 96.84 18.89 53.42 87.30 64.38 96.74 7.82 85.99 55.70

Table 7: Layout, facilities and operation and management practices in private bare rooted nurseries

Region

Layout and facilities Operation and management practices

Insp Path Fencing Weeding Fertilizer Pesticide

Southern 31.71 90.24 90.24 90.24 65.85

Malakand 91.89 13.51 96.40 95.50 60.36

Hazara territorial 89.09 7.27 76.36 74.55 29.09

Hazara watershed 94.55 14.55 89.09 80.00 47.27

Total 94.55 14.55 89.09 80.00 47.27

6.1.2.2 Planting stock and survival rate

In private potted nurseries the total contracted planting stock was 22.537 million. With an overall

survival rate of 72.64% the net available stock was 18.151 million seedlings out of which 10.408 million

(57%) were fit for planting while the remaining 7.742 million seedlings were unfit for planting (Figure-8

and 10). In Malakand and Hazara Watershed the survival rate is very good while in Southern and Hazara

territorial the survival rate is fair. More than 28 species have been planted in the private tube nurseries

with Eucalyptus 53.74%, Kikar 11.28%, Chir pine 10.07% and Phulai 9.65% as the major species. Inprivate bare rooted nurseries the survival rate was about 78%. Out of the total allocated stock of 7.890

million the net survived stock was 6.583 million out of which 5.468 million (83.06%) was fit for planting

while the remaining 2.079 million (38.02%) was unfit for planting. Survival rate is exceptionally good in

Southern, Hazara watershed and Malakand regions while in Hazara territorial region it was fairly good

(Figure-8). In private bare rooted nurseries more than 14 different species have been planted with


23/149

15 | P a g e


Figure 8: Survival rate in private potted nurseries Figure 9: Survival rate in private bare rooted nurseries

Figure 10: Region wise status of planting stock in private

potted nurseries

Figure 11: Region wise status of planting stock in private bare

rooted nurseries

Figure 12: Species composition in private potted nurseries Figure 13: Species composition in private bare rooted

nurseries

Poplar 46.06%, Robinia 32.42%, Ailanthus 9.43%, Bakine 3.71%, Willow 3.32% and Shisham 1.24% as the

major species (Figure-12 and 13).


24/149

16 | P a g e


Figure 14: Comparison of area of plantations claimed by the

FD and verified by the monitoring team

Figure 15: Comparison of plants claimed to be planted by

the FD and verified by the monitoring team

6.1.3 Planting of multi-purpose fast growing tree species on communal and private lands

During phase-1 a total of 6000 ha area was targeted to be planted with multipurpose fast growing tree

species on communal and private waste lands preferably situated nearby the natural forests. Major

objectives of the activity are to meet the firewood and timber demand and decrease pressure on the

surrounding natural forests. Out of the total 6000 ha 5500 ha were to be planted by the KP FD itself

while 500 ha were to be outsourced to private sector. The design and quality standards provided in the

PC-1 are;

Effective involvement of local communities and getting their opinion in site identification and

selection, species selection and support in watch and ward;

Execution of all planting activities including provision of planting stock, labor cost and provision of

watcher by the KP FD;

Planting of suitable species at 10 ʹ by 10 ʹ spacing.

The standard pit size for plantation is not mentioned in the PC-1 however the KP FD in its other

plantation standards has provided a trapezoid pit of 1.5ʹ x 1.0 ʹ x 1.0 ʹ having volume of 1.23 cft

(0.035 m3) for tube plants while 1.5ʹ x 1.0 ʹ x 2.0 ʹ having volume of 2.46 cft (0.07 m3) for bare-

rooted plants.

Need based watering during the first year of planting for plantations in the southern region.

By August 2015 the FD achieved 6758 ha against the total target of 6000 ha under this category of

plantations. The WWF-Pakistan team monitored 76 plantation sites with a total area of 3774 ha, which

is 56% of the total target achieved during Phase-1. These sites spread all over the major ecological zones

of the 28 Forest and Watershed divisions. Out of the 76 sites 15 fall in Southern region, 24 in Malakand

and 37 in Hazara region (23 in territorial and 13 in watershed divisions). Following are the major findings

while details are given as Appendix-E.

6.1.3.1 Plantation areas and number of plants planted

A total of 3774 hectares of plantations had been claimed by the FD officials which after measurement by

the monitoring team came out to be 3796 hectares i.e. 22 hectare (0.59%) more than what was claimed.

Except Hazara watershed where a slight negative variance was observed the rest were fairly good

(Figure-14).


25/149

17 | P a g e


Figure 16: Species composition in block plantations

Photo 7: Block Plantation, Heroshah, Malakand Photo 8: Block Plantation, D I Khan

Photo 9: Block Plantation Bannu Photo 10: Block Plantation D I Khan

Similarly a negative variance of -3.47% was observed in number of plants claimed to be planted and the

number of plants verified by the monitoring team. The total number of plants claimed to be planted

was 4.046 million while according to the sampling survey this number turned out as 3.905 million with a

net shortfall of 0.140 million (Figure-15). This negative variance is high in Hazara region (territorial),

followed by Hazara watershed, then Malakand and lastly by the Southern region. For division wise

details are given in Appendix-F.

6.1.3.2 Species suitability and overall

survival rate

More than 27 different species have been

planted in these plantations. Chir pine,

Eucalyptus, Robinia, Deodar, Phulai,Ailanthus, Kikar ( A. nilotica), Shisham and A.

farnesiana are the main species (Appendix-

G) and Figure-16). Except Eucalyptus,

Robinia, Ailanthus and Acacia F arnesiana

the rest are local and indigenous species.


26/149

18 | P a g e


Figure 18: Division wise survival rate in Southern Region Figure 19: Division wise survival rate in Malakand Region

Figure 20: Division wise survival rate in Hazara Region

(Territorial)

Figure 21: Division wise survival rate in Hazara Region (Territorial)

Figure 17: Survival rate in block plantations

The overall survival rate of the plants in these plantations is 85.77% with 92.5% in Southern Region,

89.96% in Malakand Region, 86.26% in Hazara watershed and 70.35% in Hazara territorial region

(Figure-17).

In Southern region the average survival

rate ranges from 90.35% in Kohat Forest

Division to as high as 94.48% in D.I.

Khan Forest Division. Similarly in

Malakand Region the average survival

rate ranges from 84.10% in Kalam

Forest Division to as high as 97.53% in

Dir Lower. In Hazara region (territorial)

the survival rate ranges from as low as

4.16% in Upper Kohistan to as high as

93.08% in Agror Tanawal Forest

Division. Survival rate in watersheddivisions is also good and ranges from

61.97 in Buner Watershed Division to

98.49% in Unhar Watershed Division (Figure-18, 19, 20 and 21).


27/149

19 | P a g e


Photo 11: Block Plantation of Unhar Watershed Photo 12: Block Plantation Lower Dir

6.1.3.3 Plant to plant spacing and pit size

On average the plant to plant spacing was found as 10.22 ft (3.16 m), which is slightly higher than the

recommended spacing of 10.00 ft (3.05 m). In Southern region the plant to plant spacing is the widest

that is 10.36 ft (3.12 m), followed by Hazara territorial 10.32 ft, (3.14 m) then Hazara watershed 10.14ft

(3.09 m) and lastly by Malakand region 10.10 ft (3.08 m). The average pit size was found as 1.91ft by

1.18ft which is well within the recommended standard. All the regions have followed this standard

(Table-8 and Appendix-G).

Table 8: Region wise plant to plant spacing and pit sizes

RegionAvg Spacing

(ft)

Avg Spacing

(m)

Avg. Pit Size and Vol

Width (ft) Depth (ft) Volume (cft) Volume (m3)

South 10.36 3.16 1.84 1.26 3.17 0.09

Malakand 10.10 3.08 1.99 1.17 3.77 0.11

Hazara 10.32 3.14 1.83 1.12 3.53 0.10Watershed 10.14 3.09 1.93 1.17 3.46 0.10

All regions 10.22 3.12 1.91 1.18 3.65 0.10

6.1.3.4 Protection and maintenance operations

Operations such as fencing, watering and watch and ward were also assessed. As a whole watering was

confirmed in 13.16% sites, fencing (either brushwood or barbed wire) in 22.37% and watch and ward in

90.79% sites. As watering was allowed for plantation sites in southern region only that’s why its

percentage is low in the overall picture (Figure-22 and Appendix-G). Despite of the fact that there was

no provision for hand watering for Malakand region in more than 11% sites hand watering had been

applied.

6.1.4 Planting along roads, canals and railway tracts including motorway

Under this activity a total of 300 ha area was targeted for Phase-1. Instead of traditional linear planting,

a landscape approach was recommended for these plantations. Moreover provision for fencing was also

provided for protecting these plantations.


28/149

20 | P a g e


Figure 23: Average survival rate of plants in roadside and canal

plantations

Figure 22: Region wise status of protection and maintenance operations in block plantations

A total of 19 sites measuring 257 ha area were monitored under this category. The average survival rate

was found to be 79% which was quite high in

southern region followed by Hazara and then

Malakand (Figure-23). Most of the plantations

were along roadsides and canal sides

(Appendix-H).

According to our findings a total of 0.26 million

plants were planted at an average spacing of

10.15 ft by 10.15 ft. Due to this spacing a total

of 22844 plants (8.13%) were recorded to be

short against the total number of plants

claimed to be planted (Figure-24). More than

21 species have planted with Deodar,

Eucalyptus, Robinia, Poplar and Kikar as the

major ones (Figure-25 and Appendix-H).

Figure 25: Species composition in roadside, canal-

side and railwa track lantations

Figure 24: Comparison of plants claimed to

be planted by the FD and verified by the


29/149

21 | P a g e


Figure 26: Region wise status of management operations in enclosures

Photo 13: Canal Side Plantation, Bunir Photo 14: Road Side Plantation, Lakki Marwat

6.1.5 Establishment of enclosures in designated forests

To encourage natural regeneration the project under its phase-1 has set the target of establishing 650

enclosures within the degraded patches of designated forests through community based organizations

called as Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).

The enclosures were to be established to control grazing, forest fires and other anthropogenic causes

that damage the natural regeneration. Following process was agreed in the PC-1:

Selection of the forest compartments where enclosures are to be established;

Identification of the community which has rights, dependence and de-facto or de-jure use rights

over the forest;

Organization of the community into formal organizations;

Joint identification of the area to be closed;

Finalization of Terms of Partnership with the VDC or JFMC etc.

By August 2015 a total of 411 enclosures had been established by the respective DFOs against the total

target of 650. Out of the 411 established enclosures 210 were physically verified having a total area of

12578 ha out of which 8132 ha area was traversed for plot sampling. Of the total 210 enclosures 50

were in Southern, 82 in Malakand and 78 in Hazara Region. Parameters like process adopted for the

establishment and management of enclosures, notification by the concerned DFOs, existence of

management plans, on-site

demarcation of blank spaces and

engagement of watchers

(Community Negahban) were

verified. While for assessing the

regeneration status selectednumber of enclosures was

investigated in detailed in each

ecological zone in each forest

division.

Generally it was observed that

most of the field managers (DFOs,


30/149

22 | P a g e


Figure 27: Overall species composition in enclosures Figure 28: Ecological zones wise average number of seedlings

per hectare in enclosures

SDFOs, Forest Rangers and Community Development Officers had limited understanding about the

concept and process of establishing enclosures. Except in Kohat, Buner, Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir,

Shangla, Haripur, Gallies and Hazara Tribal Forest Divisions there was little clarity about the concept and

process of establishing enclosures. In the aforementioned nine forest divisions a suitable process of

community mobilization, identification of sites and initiation of activities had been undertaken. While in

the rest of the forest divisions the process had been partially adopted. According to the field officers

limited explanation about the concept of enclosures was provided in the PC-1.

Properly notified VDCs existed for all the enclosures with 98% notified and agreements signed by the

concerned DFOs. Similarly in 98% enclosures blank spaces had been demarcated. Community watchers

(Negahbans) had been employed for all of the enclosures. Though there was no provision in the PC-1 in

some of the enclosures in Hazara and Malakand regions blank spaces had been fenced at key points

using either barbed wire or brushwood (Figure-26 and Appendix-I).

The overall results of enclosures are very encouraging. The activity is cost effective and produces

multiple impacts. According to the transect survey conducted in selected enclosures on average 2316

seedlings were recorded per hectare with Chir pine, Blue pine (Kail), Deodar, Sanatha, Phulai, Quercus

(Oak) and Kikar ( A. nilotica) as the major species (Figure-27). The largest number of seedlings wasrecorded in the Sub-tropical Chir pine zone followed by the Sub-tropical broad leaved, Moist temperate,

Tropical and lastly by the Dry temperate zone (Figure-28).

Photo 15: Enclosure in GalliesPhoto 16: Enclosure in Agror Tanawal


31/149

23 | P a g e


Figure 29: Survival rate of plant material in badlands rehabilitation

measures

6.1.6 Rehabilitation of bad sites through soil and water conservation measures, bioengineeringstructures and planting of drought resistant species

Highly degraded and eroded lands including landslides, landslips and river bank cutting have been

termed as bad sites in the BTTAP PC-1. In order to recover their products, services and functions a target

of 300 ha was set to be rehabilitated through climate smart interventions such as engineering, bio-

engineering and biological measures.

Out of the 300 hectares target 178.4

hectares were achieved mostly in Upper Dir,

Swat, Kohat, Gallies, Kaghan and Siran Forest

and Kunhar Watershed Divisions. A total of135.40 ha (75.90%) were monitored by the

WWF-Pakistan team.

Parameters like suitability of measures

applied, design, quantity and survival rate of

the vegetation material like brushwood and

seedlings etc. were assessed. A total of 11

different engineering, bio-engineering and biological measures had been applied for badlands treatment

(Table-9). The overall average survival rate of brushwood and seedlings is about 74% (Figure-29).

Regarding relevance and suitability of the measures used for the rehabilitation of the selected sites 57%were well according to the troubled sites, 26% were fair and only 17% were poor (Figure-30, Table-10).

Similarly designs and layout of 86% structures was good while that of 14% was fair (Figure-31, Table-10).

Division wise details of bad sites rehabilitation are given as under (Appendix-J).

Photo 17: Enclosure in D I Khan Photo 18: Enclosure in Haripur


32/149

24 | P a g e


Figure 30: Suitability of measures for the selected

sites

Figure 31: Quality of design and layout of the

structures used

Table 9: Target for badlands reclamation achieved by the FD and target monitored

Name Division Achieved by FD (ha) Monitored (ha) Monitored (%)

Upper Dir 40.00 40.00 100.00

Swat 20.00 20.00 100.00

Kohat 25.00 7.00 28.00

Gallies 34.00 24.00 70.59

Kaghan 12.00 12.00 100.00

Kunhar watershed 17.40 17.40 100.00

Siran 30.00 15.00 50.00

Total 178.40 135.40 75.90

Table 10: Division wise suitability of soil conservation measures, design and success rate

Forest/ Watershed

Division

Suitability of intervention Design and layout

Good Fair Poor Good Fair PoorUpper Dir 75.00 25.00 0.00 50.00 50.00 0.00

Swat 66.67 33.33 0.00 33.33 66.67 0.00

Kohat 0.00 0.00 100.00 100.00 0.00 0.00

Gallies 100.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 0.00

Kaghan 100.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 0.00

Kunhar w.shed 0.00 100.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 0.00

Siran 66.67 33.33 0.00 66.67 33.33 0.00

Overall 56.94 26.39 16.67 86.11 13.89 0.00

6.1.6.1 Upper Dir Forest Division

In Upper Dir Forest Division 40 ha area had been treated with rehabilitation works loose stone check

dams, vegetated soft gabion check dams, gabion spurs, live brushwood check dams and planting of

seedlings at Kasro Khan Khwar.

According to the monitoring results per hectare quantities of loose stone check dams, soft gabion check

dams, gabion spurs and live brushwood check dams were found to be 565 cubic feet, 100.62 cubic feet,

27.30 cubic feet and 23.25 square feet respectively (Table-11).


33/149

25 | P a g e


Photo 19 and 20: Bio-engineering Structures at Ashari, Swat Forest Division

All of the measures and structures were as per required specifications and standards. Survival and

sprouting rate of plant material used in bio-engineering and planting was well over 80%. Major species

planted in plantations and bio-engineering structures were Robinia, Deodar and Willow. Robinia and

Willow are suitable for bio-engineering measures.

Table 11: Details of engineering and bio-engineering works carried out at Kasro Khan Khwar, Upper Dir Forest Division

Measures adopted Unit Achieved Unit Avg. qty/ structure Total qty Avg. qty / ha

Loose stone check dam No 200 Cft 113 22600 565.00

Vegetated soft Gabion check dams No 50 Cft 80.5 4025 100.63

Gabion spur No 2 Cft 546 1092 27.30

Live brushwood check dams No 50 Sft 18.6 930 23.25

6.1.6.2 Swat Forest Division

In Swat Forest Division 10 ha area had been treated with planting of seedlings and 100 loose stone

check dams and 10 vegetated soft gabions at Ashari in Kabal sub-division. The overall average survival

rate of plant material was 50% with 70% in plantation and 30% bio-engineering structures. Regarding

suitability of the measures applied 67% were good while 33% were fair. Similarly layout and design of

33% of the measures were good while 67% were fair.

The total quantities of loose stone check dams and vegetated soft gabion check dams were found to be

6700 and 2656 cubic feet with per hectare averages of 335 and 133 cubic feet respectively (Table-12).

It was generally observed that the RFO, Foresters and Forest Guards did not have proper knowledge of

soil conservation and badlands reclamation works. They needed proper guidance and training.

Table 12: Details of works carried out at Ashari, Kabal Sub Division, and Swat Forest Division

Measures adopted Unit Achieved Unit Avg qty/ structure Total quantity Avg. qty/ ha

Loose stone check dams No 100 Cft 67 6700.00 335.00

Vegetated soft gabion No 10 Cft 265.63 2656.30 132.82


34/149

26 | P a g e


6.1.6.3 Kohat Forest Division

In Kohat Forest Division a normal site with very little problem of landslides or erosion had been treated

with block plantations on 15 ha Bado Ziarat. The overall survival rate of plants was almost 87% with

normal spacing and pit sizes.

6.1.6.4 Gallies Forest Division

Twenty four hectares of badlands with problem of landslides and erosion were monitored. The area had

been treated with loose stone check dams, gabion check dam, brushwood check dams and brushwood

layering. The measures adopted and structures constructed were well according to the requirement of

the sites. Similarly layout and design of all of the interventions and structures were also good.

The overall survival rate of plants and plant material was over 61% with 71% in brushwood layering and

52% in brushwood check dams. The low survival rate of brushwood was mainly due to carrying out the

bio-engineering works during off season (Table-13). According to the DFO and other field staff the

badlands rehabilitation target was allotted to them very late.

Table 13: Engineering and bio-engineering structures in Gallies Forest Division

Measures adopted Unit Achieved Unit Avg qty/ structure Total qty Avg. qty/ ha

Loose stone check dam No 4 Cft 326 1304.00 54.33

Gabion Check Dam No 2 Cft 1302 2604.00 108.50

Brushwood layering No 453 Rft 27.8 12593.40 524.73

Brushwood check dam No 6 Cft 64.6 387.60 16.15

6.1.6.5 Kaghan Forest Division

In Kaghan Forest Division 12 hectare area treated with loose stone check dams, gabion check dams,

brushwood layering, gabion spurs and vegetated loose stone check dams were monitored at Manur

Valley (Table-9). Overall survival rate of the plants and plant material used in the badlands rehabilitationmeasures was above 81% with 87% in brushwood layering and 76% in vegetated loose stone check

dams. Suitability, layout and designs of all of the measures and structures used at this site were found to

be according to the recommended standards (Table-14).

It was observed that the field staff had good knowledge of the bioengineering works. Most of them had

been trained during the “Environmental Recovery Project” jointly implemented by UNDP and KPK FD

during 2007-2010.

Table 14: Engineering and bio-engineering structures at Manur valley in Kaghan Forest Division

Measures adopted Unit Achieved Unit Avg. qty/structure Total qty Avg. ty/ ha

Loose stone check dam No 80 Cft 104 8320.00 693.33

Gabion Check Dam No 30 Cft 215 6450.00 537.50

Brushwood layering No 125 Rft 23 2875.00 239.58

Gabion spurs No 6 Cft 2384 14304.00 1192.00

Vegetated Loose Stone check dams No 9 Cft 56.5 508.50 42.38


35/149

27 | P a g e


Photo 22: Loose stone check dam, KaghanPhoto 21: Gabion Check Dam, Gallies

6.1.6.6

Kunhar Watershed Division

A total of 17.4 ha area had been treated with brush wood check dams, soft gabion check dams,vegetated loose stone check dams, loose stone check dams and brushwood layering (Table-15).

Suitability of the measures and structures used according to the requirements of the selected site were

fair while their design and layout were good. Major species planted were Willow, Poplar and Robinia.

The overall survival rate of plants and plant material was over 63% with 76% in brushwood check dams,

53% in soft gabion check dams, 62% in vegetated loose stone check dams and 61% in brushwood

layering and 61% of plants in plantation. This is a good survival rate due to the fact that most of the field

staff had proper knowledge about the bioengineering techniques. They had also been trained under the

UNDP project.

It was also observed that the selected site with a huge landside was extremely difficult to be stabilized

through biological and bioengineering works. Due to reoccurring of landslides most of the structures

were damaged and were under the debris.

Table 25: Engineering and bio-engineering structures at Malkandi in Kuhar Forest Division

Measures adopted Unit Achieved Unit

Average quantity/

structure

Total

quantity

Avg.

quantity/ ha

Brush wood check dams No 5 Sft 27.2 136.00 7.82

Soft Gabion check dam No 6 Cft 232 1392.00 80.00

Vegetated Loose Stone Check Dam No 36 Cft 138 4968.00 285.52

Loose stone check dam No 172 Cft 135 23220.00 1334.48Brushwood layering No 92.31 Rft 92 8492.52 488.08

6.1.6.7 Siran Forest Division

A total of 15 ha area had been treated with planting of seedlings, loose stone check dams and cutoff

drains (Table-16). Suitability, layout and design of 67% measures and structures were good while 33%

were fair. Survival rate of the plants planted in the area was about 93%.


36/149

28 | P a g e


Table 16: Engineering and bio-engineering structures at Siran Forest Division

Measures adopted Unit Achieved Unit

Average

quantity/

structure

Total

quantity

Avg.

quantity/

ha

Loose stone check dam No 36 Cft 170.2 6127.20 408.48

Cutoff drains Cft 1148 Cft 3.00 3444.00 229.6

6.1.6.8 General observations regarding badlands rehabilitation works

Badlands rehabilitation works are very technical and expensive requiring sound skills and proper

planning. It is recommended that proper surveys should be conducted and plans comprising of type of

treatment, their layout and designs and cost estimation be prepared well before initiation of any works.

Sites with huge landslides and cutting, like in the case Malkandi in Kunhar Watershed Division, should be

avoided as bioengineering techniques have their own limitations and cannot be applied everywhere.

The Malkandi landslide was so difficult that even NHA with a lot of resources could not fix it. They rather

avoided this site.

Bio-engineering and biological measures are season bound and should be done in winter and spring

season. In most of the above sites bio-engineering works had been carried out during off season when

all the plants had sprouted reducing survival rate.

Fencing through barbed wire or brushwood is extremely important for bio-engineering and biological

measures. As most of these works are along the roads and paths frequently used by migratory herders,

it is important to provide fencing in the PC-1.

It was also observed that the field staff especially in Swat, Kalam and Kohat Forest Divisions had limited

knowledge about the bio-engineering and engineering structures. In some cases like Balakot village in

Kalam Forest Division although good efforts had been made to construct the badlands rehabilitation

structures however unnecessarily large size structures like loose stone check dams and retaining walls

had been constructed at wrong sites.

In Kohat simple block plantations at normal sites had been declared as badlands reclamation measures.

All these issues are actually due to limited knowledge and skills on the part of the field staff.

6.1.7 Reclamation of saline and water logged areas

To rehabilitate areas affected by salinity and water logging and bring them back to their productive

potential various measures were planned for a total area of 150 ha during the first phase. Rehabilitation

measures such as deep ploughing, drainages and planting of water and salinity resistant species with

special planting techniques were prescribed in the PC-1. These interventions were planned for the

southern region only.


37/149

29 | P a g e


Figure 32: Survival rate of plants in treated saline and waterlogged

areas in Southern region

Photo 23: Saline and Water Logged area, Wanda Sherdil, Bannu

By August 2015 135 ha had been achieved. A

total of five sites having 81 ha area were

monitored. All of the five sites were suitable

for the reclamation measures. There were

no management plans available to deal with

such sites. Planting of suitable species intrenches and on mounds had been carried

out. Major species planted were eucalyptus,

Kikar, Frash, Phulai and Conocarpus. The

overall survival rate of plants in the treated

sites was 72% ranging from 54% at Nisata in

Peshawar Division to 93% at Wand Sherdil in

Bannu Division (Figure-32). Average spacing

of plants and pits size were well within the

recommended limit (Table-17 and 18).

In Khweshgi site planting had been done

mainly in trenches and some along the

ridges. Success rate was higher along the

ridges. In Nisata area planting had been done

on mounds. In either case te

Documents

Billion Trees Tsunami Afforestation Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – WWF Monitoring Report 2015